BILLY KRIMMEL
FOUNDER, ECOLOGISt
Billy completed his PhD in Ecology at UC Davis where he focused his research on native plant-insect interactions. Billy also holds a Bachelor of Science from Brown University.
Billy founded Miridae with the intention of creating habitat for native species within human-occupied areas and engaging people with the species interactions occurring in these habitats. With each project, we come one step closer to creating a network of habitat gardens and migration corridors to support resilient populations of native species.
Billy is still active in the research community, writing peer-reviewed journal articles on native plants and insects. Check out his publications here.
KATE HAYES
Design Principal
Kate Hayes is Design Principal at Miridae where she runs the firm’s design work and outreach. Kate’s process-oriented way of designing draws on her interdisciplinary science background, integrating ecology and a multi-scaled systems approach. She is energized by working with clients and communities to realize a collective design vision and recognizes listening as a key part of the design process. Her Miridae work is deeply rooted in Sacramento but is also nationally recognized by the landscape architecture community.
Prior to joining Miridae, Kate worked at SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC in New York, NY where she designed and managed a Manhattan plaza and a resilient, 8-acre community park. Kate’s work experience spans from green infrastructure to ecological design, streetscape design, public engagement, citizen science, and conceptual and strategic plans.
Kate is also a Lecturer in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design in the Department of Human Ecology at UC Davis and in the Earth Systems Department at Stanford University. Kate holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University.
Rowan McGuire
Project Manager and Senior Landscape Designer
Rowan is a local to the Sacramento region having grown up in Davis, CA. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the California Polytechnic Institute in San Luis Obispo, CA. Rowan is a very creative individual who has a passion for landscape design, music, and photography. His designs are inspired by the ability of landscapes to create a sense of place, especially when using the context of the natural habitat and focusing on native species.
JASON PRADO
Project Manager and Senior Landscape Designer
Born to Peruvian parents, Jason grew a strong affinity for his native culture, food, and traditions. He takes inspiration from his ancestors who seamlessly integrated their work into the land, rather than be dominion over it. This respect also came through in his upbringing in the Central Valley of California. Surrounded by almond orchards, he witnessed the incredible blooms not only marked the seasons but also united a community and gave people a sense of identity.
Prior to joining Miridae, Jason worked at Mathews Nielsen and MVVA in New York City. He worked on a wide range of projects from small gardens to large waterfront parks. He received his Master of Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies.
JANE lEE
Landscape designeR
After many years of living on the East Coast, Jane was drawn back home to the myriad communities and landscapes of Northern California. Her love for landscape stems from the same place as her love for stories, and she sees the design process as an opportunity to increase mutual understanding amongst humans, other species, and the material world.
Jane received her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Harvard College. She is a certified California Naturalist and enjoys any chance to learn more about native plants, wildlife, and ecology.
BRENDA GALVán
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Brenda graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Landscape Architecture. After falling in love with Davis and the area, she decided to move to Sacramento from Los Angeles to pursue a career in landscape architecture. She is particularly interested in designing with sustainability and the user experience in mind. She is currently studying to be a licensed landscape architect.
Brenda is the connection between the design team, crew, and clients. She spends her time in the field with the crew, ensuring the designer’s goals come to life. While on-site, she guides the build process, sources plants and materials, and bids projects.
EDY VASQUEZ
CREW LEAD
With almost six years of experience working for Miridae, Edy is an expert at many elements of landscaping, including irrigation, planting, maintenance, pruning, lighting systems, and paths. He is our fearless crew lead who can recall virtually any detail from any project he has been a part of.
CELE ESTRADA
CREW
Cele is our resident expert mason with three years of experience with Miridae. He has experience building stone walls, flagstone paths, and patios across the Sacramento region and Bay Area. He is a steadfast and diligent worker and approaches every project and task with a positive attitude and attention to detail.
JUAN JIMENEZ lopez
CREW
As the newest addition to our build crew, Juan is excited to learn everything he can about landscape construction and to become an essential member of the Miridae team. He looks forward to seeing himself grow along with his colleagues and the company.
GRACE AMICO
NURSERY AND PLANT SALES MANAGER
Grace manages the Miridae Mobile Nursery community events and native plant pre-orders. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture at UC Davis where she cultivated an admiration for California’s diverse native plants and landscapes. Grace is happy to talk native plants with anyone and finds the Mobile Nursery to be a unique and fun method of bringing that conversation to a variety of people.
CAROLINE LARSEN-BIRCHER
CO-FOUNDER OF MIRIDAE LIVING LABS
Caroline is drawing on her life-long love of insects and science education to co-found Miridae Living Labs, a non-profit sister organization to Miridae that will channel the spirit of Miridae into the education and research realm.
Caroline has nearly completed her PhD in Ecology at UC Davis on the biogeography of non-native tephritid flies. Prior to venturing into the Miridae world, she worked as a science editor for educational publishers, for the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife’s Biodiversity Data Branch, and teaching Introductory Biology Labs at UC Davis.
Caroline holds a Masters of Science in Ecology from UC Davis and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Bryn Mawr College.
HAVEN KIERS
COLLABORATOR AND CONSULTANT
Haven is an Assistant Professor in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design in the Department of Human Ecology at UC Davis. She worked as design principal for Miridae for three years before taking her new position.
Haven Kiers received her Masters of Landscape Architecture degree from UC Berkeley.
BRIAN KEELEY
collaborator and consultant
Brian has spent his lifetime building a diverse background that includes botany, entomology, ornithology, herpetology, mammalogy and aquaculture with specialties in ecological restoration and bat biology. Beyond his general ecological background, his interest in conservation has two main objectives: sharing his knowledge and love for ecology with people and ensuring ecological corridors remain intact. He conducts exciting hands-on research and experimentation to develop innovative methods for growing native plants.